Collin’s English Dictionary describes culture shock as “the feelings of isolation, rejection, etc., experienced when one culture is brought into sudden contact with another.” Ever since December, when I found out I was going to India, virtually everyone I know has warned me about this phenomenon. After being admonished against drinking the water, eating the food, smiling at strangers, going out in crowds, driving on busy streets, getting near animals, breathing the air, and interacting with society in general, I was convinced I would never adjust. I boarded my flight on Friday perfectly prepared to spend the first three days in Hyderabad weirded out by everything and terrified of my own shadow. Three days in, I’ve changed my mind.
I’ve started to think culture shock belongs to an era of crinoline and colonization, when travelers had only stories and the occasional black-and-white to introduce them to exotic locales. Back when India was described as a land of tigers and pukka sahibs, people had to take hyperbole and exaggeration at face value; they had no real comparison. When people in the 1930s– or even the 1970s– visited India, culture shock came with the territory: word-of-mouth anecdotes and a picture or two of the Taj Mahal does not a cultural transition make.
But in 2010, lack of information is the least of our problems. A quick Google of “Hyderabad” produces more than twenty-seven million results; “India” returns just short of half a billion. These results are blogs, images, reviews, advertisements, encyclopedias, books, even video clips of the (insane) Indian traffic. Any perspective on virtually every esoteric aspect of Indian culture is readily available to anyone with curiosity and a good search engine. After spending hours stalking Google Images and Youtube for anything Hyderabad, coming to the city wasn’t nearly as different as I’d expected: it wasn’t really culturally “shocking” at all.
Everything was more natural than I’d originally thought. Driving on the “wrong” side of the road? Didn’t faze me. Sleeping on rock-hard beds? Too tired to notice. Crowded streets? No worse than Istanbul. The terrible smell? The only thing that’s smelled bad was our fridge (and that’s a story in itself). Even the traffic wasn’t too disturbing– although I did take issue with a guy driving a motorscooter while carrying his months-old son.
That’s not to say I’ve been completely disinterested in the whole experience. Since I left my house on Friday, I’ve run the emotional gamut: afraid, angry, sad, excited, interested, curious, (fill in the sentiment here). Things have startled me, distracted me, alarmed me, but never shocked me. We visited the schools today, and yes, I wanted to cry… but though such conditions had never been as real to me, it’s not like I’ve never been exposed to them before. Check out ABC Family commercials, grab an issue of Time, rent Slumdog Millionaire: adorable, earnest, poverty-stricken faces will stare back up at you. I was horrified to see those toddlers running around without shoes… but I can’t honestly say I was surprised.
The Information Age has made culture shock a virtually obsolete concept for technologically-capable middle-class Americans. I’m thrilled. Instead of spending my first few days scared to step out of the apartment, I’ve been dying to explore my home for the next two months. I’m been obnoxiously excited, but that’s how I prefer to operate. Forget “isolation” and “rejection.” I love this place.
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hyderabad…DECCAN CHARGERS!!! I was so excited that I read your blog during work..and I like it very much
Part of the reasons culture shock was minimal in comparison is beacause you did research; most people don’t do that…and seeing other parts of the world before (ie Istanbul) probably helped you more that you consciously realize.
Yup I went through all those emotions when I went there too…I grew up more in those three months than in a year back home. Where in Hyderabad are you?…wait till you see the Microsoft areas: the stark difference is astounding.
BTW: hows the biryani: the spiciness of the food is probably one thing that no amount of slumdog millionaire or time magazine can prepare you for
Be the Change You Want to See in the World – Gandhi
Ah, the euphoria stage. Embrace it, love it, thrive in it. All your fellow DukeEngage’ers are going through the same sentiments. I hate to be a Debbie Downer (do people still say that?), but culture shock will come in a few weeks. Right now, in your euphoria stage, everything is amazing. I’ve been in Tanzania for the past 2 weeks, and I can sense that people around me are starting to get a little frustrated with the small things in life.
Culture shock isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and no matter how much research you do about the living conditions, your body and mind will almost always prefer the luxuries you have become accustomed to. For the beginning, it may be like nothing can go wrong, but as you slowly become accustomed to a routine in your country (India), certain doubts and feelings can come into place.
But I don’t mean to say it is bad, but rather, it happens nearly everyone I know. Whether on a small or big scale, its almost inevitable. The main reason people keep talking to us about it is because when those feelings do come into play, we can be self-aware, and it will make riding that temporary low point in your trip more bearable.
Of course, India is an amazing country, with a beautiful culture (I may be a bit biased!), and I’m sure you’re group is gonna have an awesome time. Just don’t fall into the trap to think that culture-shock is beneath you.
Hi Kaya
Glad you arrived safely and I am so happy that you are embracing India with an open mind.
You never did email me with your reaction to the book I gave you.
Enjoy the flavourful and colourful spices and foods…try anything that is vegetarian, if it is too hot for your taste mix it with Naan or rice. Don’t drink liquids immediately for it will not cool the palate as well as this method.
Have a wonderul safe trip.
Love Jenny and Rio
Ps. If you can ride and Elephant or pet one don’t miss out!
I don’t know whether I was more inspired by your description of the chaotic whirlwind of activity that is Hyderabad or by the very apt definition by Collin’s English Dictionary of “culture shock” with which you introduced your post. And a “billion” Google results on the search term “India?” That’s nearly India’s population itself! SHOCKING! REALLY!
I think it’s really admirable that you acknowledge the many modes through which poverty has manifested itself in the public eye. ABC Family certainly has some great stuff, Time is timeless, and Slumdog Millionaire–well…it’s obviously much more than just a cheesy Bollywood flick.
Glad to know you’re enjoying the place! Go ahead and drink the water, eat the food, smile at the strangers, sleep on those rock-hard beds, pet the animals. Who knows–maybe there’s something to discover beyond the initial struggle of water contamination, jaundice, and typhoid.
Jai Hind!